Senator Fuschillo Congratulates Calhoun High School Student on Earning National Recognition in Intel Science Talent Search

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently congratulated Sanford H. Calhoun High School Senior Emma McNamara on being chosen as a national semi-finalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search.

     “Emma has earned an incredible honor and achieved something of which she should be very proud. After dedicating so much of her time, energy, and effort to her research project, she has earned a place among a very elite group of young men and women. I congratulate Emma on this remarkable achievement, which I am sure is only the first of many more to come,” said Senator Fuschillo.

     Participants from all across the country, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands compete in the talent search, considered the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. Emma is one of only 300 semifinalists chosen from entries nationwide.

     Senator Fuschillo presented Emma with a copy of a legislative resolution which was recently passed by the Senate in honor of her accomplishment. With the passage of this resolution, sponsored by Senator Fuschillo, Emma’s name and achievement will forever be part of the New York State Senate’s official record.

     Senator Fuschillo (right center) is pictured as he congratulates Emma McNamara (left center) on being named a semi-finalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search. They are joined by (l-r) Teacher Nick Pappas, Science Department Chairperson Rochelle Battersby, Teacher Jennifer Pefanis, and Assistant Principal Nicole Hollings.

Text of the Legislative Resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 287

BY: Senator FUSCHILLO       

CONGRATULATING Emma McNamara of Sanford H. Calhoun
        High  School  upon  the  occasion  of  being named a
        semifinalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute  to  those  who,  by  achieving  outstanding  success  in  their
educational and scientific endeavors, have inspired and brought pride to
our majestic Empire State; and

  WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
the  dedication  and  commitment  of  our  young  people who distinguish
themselves through excellence in science competition; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
congratulate Emma McNamara of Sanford H. Calhoun High  School  upon  the
occasion  of being named a semifinalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent
Search; and

  WHEREAS, Once known  as  the  Westinghouse  competition,  the  Intel
Science  Talent  Search  is the oldest of its type in the nation, and is
the country's most prestigious science scholarship competition; and

  WHEREAS, For more than 60 years, the Intel Science Talent Search has
recognized and rewarded the country's top young science students; and

  WHEREAS, Over the years, this competition has gained  broad  acclaim
in  the  academic  and  scientific  communities;  educators, scientists,
engineers  and   journalists   throughout   the   United   States   have
enthusiastically supported this annual event; and

  WHEREAS,  Six  former  Intel  Science Talent Search competitors have
gone on to win the prestigious Nobel Prize; and

  WHEREAS, The Intel Science Talent Search was  created  to  encourage
high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional ability in science, math
and engineering through individual research projects; and

  WHEREAS,  Colleges  and universities regard the Intel Science Talent
Search semifinalist award  to  be  evidence  of  exceptional  scientific
promise; and

  WHEREAS,  Emma  McNamara, a senior at Sanford H. Calhoun High School
in Merrick, New York, was recently named a semifinalist  in  the  annual
Intel  Science  Talent Search which awards scholarships to recognize the
outstanding science research of high school seniors; and

  WHEREAS, Emma McNamara's 2013 Intel Science  Talent  Search  project
was  entitled,  "Female Dominance Hierarchies as a Predictor of Relative
Canine Size Dimorphism in the Macaca Genus"; her research aimed to  link
levels  of  canine  dimorphism  within  a  specific type of behaviorally
diverse monkey called macaques; and

  WHEREAS, Emma McNamara's results indicated that there is a  positive
correlation  between the degree of intolerance in female hierarchies and
levels of canine dimorphism; this is likely due to the fact  that,  when
females are more intolerant, the selective pressures lay more heavily on
females  than  males;  by  confirming  this  correlation,  the selective
factors for a key evolutionary question have become clearer; and

  WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate and applaud  the  individual
accomplishments of remarkable students in this great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Emma
McNamara of Sanford H. Calhoun High School  upon  the  occasion  of  her
designation  as  a semifinalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search,
and  for  her  noteworthy  educational  and  scientific  endeavors   and
achievements;   her   outstanding   performance   has   clearly  made  a
contribution to the spirit of excellence which is  a  tradition  of  her
school and community; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Emma McNamara of Sanford H. Calhoun High  School  upon  the
occasion  of being named a semifinalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent
Search; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Emma McNamara.